Device for picture frames and the like



Jan. 23, 1934. c H o w|TT|G 1,944,203

DEVICE FOR PICTURE FRAMES AND THE LIKE Filed March 18, 1933 i i I I6 L I .6 w W w I I4 fi-w,

FIGS

22 22 24 Cb c 2 {7 & F|G.7 24 g 23 #QI 24 FIG. 8 CARL H.O.W|TTIG INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 23, 1934 umreo STATES PATENT FFICE DEVICE FOR PICTURE FRAMES AND THE LIKE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to means for support ing or hanging on the wall objects such as picture frames, mirrors, plaques and the like.

Under the common prevailing practice an object such as a picture frame is usually supported on the wall by means of a flexible wire which has its two ends secured to the rear of the frame at two points which are usually spaced above the horizontal center line of the frame. This wire 13 passes over a hook or other suitable support on the wall thereby permitting the picture to hang suspended by the wire. with the rear lower part of the frame contacting with the wall so the frame makes an acute angle with the wall. Aside from the frictional engagement between the wall and its rear lower part. the frame is more or less freely suspended so that it can be moved laterally by any force great enough to overcome the frictional engagement between the frame and the wall. When a picture frame or the like is properly hung with its sides vertical and the top and bottom horizontal, such an external force, caused by accidentally bumping or jarring or by a gust of wind, for example, might move the frame out J of its correct position. The friction between the wall and the frame would generally be great enough to prevent the frame from returning to its correctly aligned position. Hence the frame in its displaced position would not hang level and so would present an unsightly appearance.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved means for hanging objects such as picture, mirror, tapestry frames, plaques and the like. Another object is to provide means for supporting picture frames and the like so that they will return to a properly aligned position if accidentally displaced therefrom. A further object is to provide means for reducing friction between a frame of the type described and the wall on which it is supported. Still another object is to provide means for freely supporting a frame of the type described from a single point. These and other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features of construction, arrangement and combination of parts as will hereinafter be described and pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a picture frame embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view showing the frame supported on the Wall.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the friction reducing roller. Fig. 4 is an end view of same.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of a frame showing a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a side view showing same supported on the wall.

Fig. '7 is a front view of a supporting device.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of same.

Fig. 9 is a side view of same.

A preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the drawing wherein 10 indicates a frame such as is commonly used for pictures, mirrors, tapestries and the like. Mounted on the rear side and above the horizontal center line of the frame are the two screw eyes 11 to which are fastened, respectively, the two ends of a flexible cable or wire 12. Centrally mounted on the rear side of the lower part 13 of frame 10 is a friction reducing means indicated, generally, at 14. This friction reducing means is preferably formed of a sheet metal stamping 15 having the two upturned sides 16 between which a roller 17 76 is rotatably mounted by means of pin 18. Suitable holes 19 are provided in the stamping 15 so it can readily be attached to the frame by means of brads, screws or the like. The wire 12 is passed over a hook or nail 20 in wall W so the frame hangs with the friction reducing roller 1'7 in contact with the wall. If the frame 10 is accidentally displaced laterally it will be free to swing and will return to its original properly aligned position providing the wire 12 has not moved out of its position on nail 20. The friction reducing means, of course, enables the frame to return to its proper position.

In a modified form of my invention, shown in Fig. 5, the frame 10' carries on its rear upper side a supporting device shown in enlarged views in Figs. 7-9. This device is preferably formed of a sheet metal stamping 21 having two elongated slots 22 by means of which the device may be fastened with screws in adjusted position on the frame 10. The stamping 21 has a lateral projection 23 which is provided with a tapered conical or pyramidal cup 24 having its apex uppermost. Two friction reducing devices 14 are mounted at opposite sides of frame 10 with the devices positioned on the arc of a circle whose center is substantially at the apex of the cup 24 as shown in Fig. 5. Secured to wall W is a suitable hook 25 having an upwardly extending part 26 on which the cup 24 rests. The weight of the frame keeps the cup 24 on part 26 and so the frame is supported on a single point and adapted to move freely. The friction reducing means 14 contact with the wall W as shown in Fig. 6 and hence if the frame 10 is accidentally moved out 310 of its aligned position it will swing freely and return to its original position. In originally hanging the frame the slots 22 enable one to adjust the supporting device so that the apex of cup 24 is so positioned that the frame 10' will hang level.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that I am able to attain the objects of my invention and provide an improved means for hanging picture frames and the like so they will return to a properly aligned position if accidentally displaced therefrom. The supporting device 21 shown in Figs. 7-9 can, of course, be used with a single friction reducing roller such as in Fig. 1. Likewise a wire 12 could be used with the set of two rollers shown in Fig. 5 instead of the supporting device 21. The friction reducing means 14 and the supporting device 21 can obviously 'be modified in structure without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A frame of the character described having in combination means for swingabh' supporting said frame on a substantially vertical wall, a rotatable member mounted on the rear of said frame in position to contact with the wall.

2. A frame of the type described having--. in combination means for swingably supporting said frame from a single point on a substantially vertical wall and rotatable friction reducing means mounted on the lower portion of that side of the frame which is adjacent to the wall whereby if said frame is displaced it will be permitted to swing freely and return substantially to its original position.

3. A frame of the type described having in combination means for swingably supporting said frame from a, single point on a substantially vertical wall, a plurality of rotatable friction reducing elements mounted on the rear side of said frame in position to contact with the wall, said elements being positioned along the arc of a cirole whose center is positioned substantially at said point.

I 4. A frame of the type described having in combination means for swingably supporting said frame on a substantially vertical wall, said means comprising a flexible cable having its respective ends attached to the rear side of said frame-and a supporting member on the wall, said cable being positioned on said member and means rotatably mounted on the lower rear side of said frame, said last namedmeans being positioned to contact with the wall whereby friction between the wall and frame is reduced.

CARL H. O. WITTIG. 

